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Blood glucose monitoring for children - your ideas wanted

T

tsrobinson1989

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Hi everyone,
I'm looking at ways that would make it easier and more fun for children to monitor their blood glucose. I'm sure this is a problem many parents face on an almost daily basis.
Some ideas I've had so far are:

- a wind-up blood glucose monitor(this could also be used in adults who travel a lot), a bit like the wind-up torches and radios that are available
- a traffic light system with LEDs e.g. green for low BM, red for high BM
- more colourful blood glucose monitors, possibly with cartoon characters

I haven't had much time yet to develop these ideas and would love to hear your thoughts on them, whether you think they would work, and any other suggestions on ways to make it easier for your children to take their blood glucose readings.

Thanks!
 
Re: Blood glucose monitoring for children - your ideas wante

Just to clarify the traffic light system, green will refer to "normal" blood glucose levels, i.e. 4-8 mmol/L. Red refers to anything outside this range, either too high or too low.
 
Re: Blood glucose monitoring for children - your ideas wante

Hi

I'm not sure if you are aware, but Bayer already launched the Digit a few years back. It connects to a Nintendo handheld game. Sounded good, but not sure how popular it is/was.

I wouldn't like the concept of a wind-up meter. Imagine the frustration this might cause for a child trying to use it when hypo? Or, a child trying to use it discreetly in the classroom? It would have to have alternative power as a backup - for saving results to memory etc,.

Not sure that traffic lights is any easier or more fun. If your child is too young to understand numbers, then they surely wouldn't be left alone to decipher the results and (if necessary) treat them selves accordingly - even if colour-coded! Plus, it reinforces the concept of good or bad results and one doesn't want to be judgmental about how well or badly a child has done with their blood sugars.

As a parent, I have found an issue for children (esp boys) is where/how to carry the meter. The smaller the person, the smaller their pockets and since boys rarely carry bags, it can be a nightmare finding a meter that a child can take to school or out to play. Most meters come in quite bulky black zip cases - so some re-thinking on this front would be good.

Older children (for those whose families can afford luxuries) would probably like the little meters that I have seen which can attach to an iPhone. Not sure if they are launched in the UK yet, but have seen them on the web.

I think 'cool styling' and 'no bother to carry' are primary considerations for kids. After all, how much fun can you have stabbing your fingers? Until non-invasive metering comes along, there's not a lot of fun to be had.

Hope this helps you with your thinking.
 
Re: Blood glucose monitoring for children - your ideas wante

Thanks for your comments. The idea was something I conceived last night and I've hardly had any time to refine it, so I appreciate that some things might seem not very well thought out! I agree with what you say re both the wind-up meter and the traffic light system.

The idea for the wind-up meter was something that I was thinking of for either developing countries or people who are travelling and don't have access to electricity. I can understand that it might not be appropriate for children.

Any other suggestions from parents would be really appreciated. If ever there has been a situation where you've thought "If only I had..." or "Life would be much easier with/without..." then I'd love to know.
 
Re: Blood glucose monitoring for children - your ideas wante

Hiya!

I'm not a parent, but maybe swappable covers might appeal to girls so that they can match their monitor to their outfit? It was certainly a very popular concept on mobile phones. I think all kids would appreciate being able to personalise their monitors and pens - it's bad enough they have to carry them around, without them being black and boring!

SandraR - what about using those belt clip things to attach the monitor to the belt loops of trousers or to the belt itself? You might have to think of something inventive to attach the clip to the monitor, though.

Smidge
 
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